Traditional dances of Panama, Folklore and traditional music of Panama, People & Culture of Panama, Panama travel vlog, Panama travel guide
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Dance is an expression deeply rooted in a culture’s essence. Traditional dances take delight in movements in expressing a culture’s ideas and emotions and releasing energy. A traditional dance is often accompanied by lively music, instruments of cultural significance, and colorful wardrobes, to further enhance its impact and meaning.

It has been said that a Panamanian will sometimes begin to sway their hips and hum while standing in line, and it is no wonder, Panama is a country rich in traditional music and dances. Since its inception, Panama has had several cultural influences reflected in their traditional dances.

The most well-known of the Panamanian traditional dances is called El Tamborito, Spanish for the small drum. With a name like this, one can anticipate a rhythmic infused style of dancing, full of culture and drama. Other Panamanian traditional dances include Cumbia and El Punto, all unique in their own right. Each has its unique cultural influences, ranging from Spanish, Caribbean, African, and European blends, harmonized into rhythmic beats enjoyed throughout the centuries.

El Tamborito’s music and dance are one of Panama’s most hypnotic practices. El Tamborito is a mixture of Hispanic and African traditional dances, and the dance’s rhythm is based on a folkloric dance, Congos, from the Province of Colon, introduced by African slaves. El Tamborito’s music and dance dates back as early as the 17th century and has become the national dance of Panama.

Usually, a group of men out in a public space or public square, break out in music and sound their drums in rhythm to the traditional beat. As the beat continues, a woman will come and sing a central theme and her interpretations of the rhythm, usually having to do with life and feelings, while other women chant along to the chorus and clap their hands. The chorus is the same chorus repeated over and over again, usually a sentence long, creating a game of question and answer. After the dance, usually, everyone will share a swig or glass of their favorite liquor.

While dancing along to the rhythm, women and men will form a circle and taking turns, a man will step in, to the center and a woman will follow, both swaying their hips and moving their feet subtlety, and never touch. The dance is a coy interpretation of cat and mouse chase, where the woman sways her hips provocatively and hints for the man to come closer, only to then abruptly turn her back and return to her circling solo dance. During the dance, the woman is to not smile, as it would imply the man’s chase is effective and she finds him alluring. The key to this dance, however, is to maintain intense eye contact between the couple.

El Tamborito, as the name suggests, is played using three African styled small drums, one for the rhythm, one for the high notes, and one for the low notes. El Tamborito’s beat is accompanied by the clapping of hands, creating a hypnotic rhythm. Depending on the region, the instruments may also include a violin and a Spanish guitar, accentuating the Spanish influence over the region.

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